Local unemployment at 8.6% in February

February unemployment of 8.6 percent in the Springfield area compared with 8.9 percent a year earlier but was up from 8.2 percent in January.

Statewide, unemployment was down or unchanged in nine metro areas and increased in three, the Illinois Department of Employment Security reported Thursday.

The department attributed increased unemployment in Peoria, Bloomington-Normal and Danville to layoffs resulting from the “temporary slowdown in global manufacturing demand.”

Local unemployment, which covers Sangamon and Menard counties, was the third lowest in the state last month after the Quad Cities, 7.9 percent; and Bloomington-Normal, 8 percent. Unemployment was highest in Danville, 12.8 percent, followed by Decatur, 12.7 percent.

Springfield employers added 100 jobs from February 2013 through February this year, according to the report, to bring total employment to 108,900. Most jobs were added in construction, tourism and wholesale trade, while job losses were greatest in professional business services and government employment.

Information

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The State Journal-Register ~ Street address: One Copley Plaza (corner of Ninth Street and Capitol Avenue), Springfield, ILMailing address: The State Journal-Register, P.O. Box 219, Springfield, IL 62705-0219 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service